‘Ender’s Game’ stands the test of time

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Ender’s Game is a 1985 military science fiction novel written by Orson Scott Card that’s mainly based on the effects of a war on someone’s psyche.

The book’s main character, Andrew “Ender” Wiggin, was sent to a military academy orbiting above the Earth to learn strategy to defend against an unknown alien force which they call “buggers.”

From the age of six, Ender quarrels with simulated aliens and fantasy games to ultimately try to become the Earth’s last hope and savior. Ender encounters corrupt teachers, bullies, and even the aliens themselves and discovers his true self in the process.

When I read the book I enjoyed it very much. Other reviews might say that it did not have much suspense or action, but I would say that the suspense is in what actions Ender takes and how he proceeds with his plans.

Throughout the entire book, Ender encounters many psychological battles between himself and the thought of becoming his evil brother. This conveys the book’s main theme that humanity is not always the good side. I would go more into the theme but I am afraid of spoiling the book to anyone who wants to read it.

The book is a bit old, but that makes it better in that regard. It’s always nice to compare modern authors to the older authors.

Some of the book’s downsides are that it lacks description with certain places. Sometimes I would ask myself “where am I now?” or “Is this place massive or just a hole in the ground?” yet at other times it will lay on the detail. This book is amazing when it comes to actually describing things through the feel of the world.

This book is for anyone with an interest in sci-fi and strategy against an unknown force. The book includes interesting side plots and ends in a strange encounter between humans and the Aliens. When you’re done reading, you’re left asking, who was the real bad guy in the book?